(indieWIRE/03.12.02) — George Ratliff‘s documentary, “Hell House,” hasbeen acquired by 7th Art Releasing, the company confirmed late yesterday.The deal was sealed at SXSW, currently underway in Austin, TX, accordingto the announcement.

The movie, which debuted at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival,provides a behind-the-scenes look at a Texas Pentecostal church’s hauntedhouse which is aimed at frightening children with images of abortion scenes,AIDS deaths and school shootings.

“I saw this film at the Toronto film fest and was blown away by the purefilmmaking and a look into a world of religious fanaticism which has becomeonly more relevant with world current events,” commented 7th Art presidentUdy Epstein in a prepared statement.

The film was sold by Cinetic and is expected to get a late Spring release inNew York, Los Angeles and Texas. [Eugene Hernandez]

>> Groth Headed to Vegas; Will Keep Sundance Programming Job

(indieWIRE/03.12.02) — Sundance programmer Trevor Groth has been named Director of Programming for the CineVegas International Film Festival,the Entertainment Development Corporation of Las Vegas (EDC) announcedyesterday. Groth is maintaining his post at the Sundance Film Festival.

Trevor Groth spoke with indieWIRE yesterday about his new post. Heindicated that the Festival will offer a broad selection of films, including American indies, docs, foreign films and perhaps even a few larger profile pictures. Details will be unveiled over the next few months.

According to yesterday’s announcement, Groth intends to present between50 – 60 films at this year’s festival. “We’re not going to follow theformula of a traditional film festival,” commented Groth in a preparedstatement yesterday, “Rather, we’re going to create a dynamic and uniqueexperience comprised of great films and unforgettable events — we havesuch an incredible opportunity here, and we’re completely reorganizingCineVegas to position it as the industry event it could be.”

Groth joined Sundance in 1992, he has programmed all areas of theFestival and was involved with the development of the Sundance OnlineFilm Festival.

The fourth annual CineVegas will run June 8 – 15 at the Brenden Theatersinside the Palms Casino Resort. [Eugene Hernandez]

>> Belladonna Opens Production Services Wing

(indieWIRE/03.12.02) — Belladonna Productions, the indie producing outfitrun by Linda Moran and Rene Bastian, has announced the establishment of RUSH, a new production services division. Designed to benefit first-time filmmakers as well as seasoned professionals, RUSH will provide guidance through theproduction and marketing processes as well as physical production assistancefor producers looking to focus on other aspects of filmmaking.

“We want to help filmmakers optimize their production value and theirmarketing strategy,” said Bastian in a prepared statement. “We believe thatRUSH will enable us to strengthen our roots in the filmmaking community andto establish lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with filmmakersin the process.”

Moran and Bastian’s credits include “L.I.E.,” “Friends & Family,” and “Sue,” and the duo are nominated for the Independent Spirit Motorola Producer’s Award, which will be announced on Saturday, March 23. [Matthew Ross]